East Coast College has hosted its first graduation celebration for students completing the Unloc Leadership Academy.
As part of their academy programme, students have been developing their leadership skills and have heard from leaders about their journeys, along with taking part in sessions on areas such as public speaking, team building, motivation and campaigning.
The culmination of the academy saw the students presenting their campaign or community project to a live audience, including Further Education Commissioner, Shelagh Legrave, and East Coast College’s Corporation Vice Chair, Tina Ellis, before graduating from the programme on Wednesday, 24th April.
Speaking at the event, Shelagh said: “It was so inspiring listening to the students’ projects. They were all brilliant and a credit to East Coast College.”
Paul Padda, Principal and CEO, who attended the celebration event held at the college’s Energy Skills Centre in Lowestoft, said: “At East Coast College we provide qualifications but importantly develop our students through opportunities such as Turing international trips to places such as New Zealand, South Africa, Vietnam and Germany and the Unloc Leadership Academy which develops our students’ leadership skills.
“I am looking forward to working with the recent graduates of this scheme on their ideas to help support our college and the local community.”
The East Coast College Leadership Academy is free for all students across the college to apply to take part in and is delivered in partnership with leadership experts Unloc – which helps schools, colleges and organisations inspire and empower young people to be changemakers.
Ideas presented by the students included a student newsletter, youth group, buddy system to help students settle and integrate into college life, starting their own business and finding accommodation for students who travel to study from overseas. East Coast College will be working with the students to support and develop their ideas as part of their ongoing development.
Students or prospective students who want to develop their leadership potential can register their interest early for the next cohort kicking off in September by emailing Wendy Stanger, Director of Governance, at w.stanger@eastcoast.ac.uk